Torpedo guard for ships



June l5, 1943. w, E, METHVIN I TORPEDO GUARD FOR SHIPS Filed May 8 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet;

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Y l Wilbur E Maf/wila.

June' 15, 194e.. 2,321,842

W. E. METHVIN TOR'PEDO GUARD FOR SHIPS Filed May 8, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 15, 1943 UNITED STATES eATENT OFFICE TORPEDO GUARD FOR SHIPS Wilbur' E. Methvin, Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

Application May 8, 1941, Serial No. 392,525

s claims.

My invention relates to torpedo protectors and more particularly to a torpedo guard or protector arrangement adapted for use with ships.

Heretofore it has been suggested to use torpedo protective devices with ships, wherein the guard members are attached to arms extending outwardly at veither side of the vessel. It has also been suggested to pivotally mount the arms on the vessel and provide means for raising and lowering the arms, whereby the protectors associated therewith can be moved inwardly and upwardly against the sides of the vessel.

In all of the prior art devices, of which I am aware, the guard members are in the form of nets, metal sheets, chains, hollow metal containers andthe like. While the prior art arrangements are no doubt satisfactory, in that protection is afforded a ship thereby against direct contact with a torpedo, they are open to certain objections, which are'inherent in their construction and arrangement. It will be apprecia'ted that in addition to the protective feature per se, devices of the character referred to above, should be designed for elcient operation when positionedinthe water. In other words, due consideration should be given to such factors as weight, buoyancy and flexibility of the individual guard Vmembers and the induced drag on the ship with which they are associated.

.When guard members in the form of nets,

chains ormetal sheets, for example, are used with ships, the weight factor` becomes objectionable, particularly if itis necessary to use a large number of units to properly shield the sides of the vessel. Elements of this character are also objecx tionable because of drag and possible entanglement with debris. While hollow metal guards possess buoyancy, theylack flexibility and resiliency .which are necessary characteristics for proper operation of the guards under the conditions encountered in normal use. The weight factor of these devices is also important by reason of thedifliculty encountered in providing suitable mountings to properly support the guards so that they can be raised and lowered, if desired.

After considerable research and experimenta-- tion, I have found that the most efficient type of guard, `from the standpoint of weight per unit of area to beprotected, induced drag and ilexibility, is in the form of a hollow inflatable blade member, made of rubber and having a thick leadingedge and a comparatively thin trailing edge. In other words, a hollow inflatable blade formed from flexible or-resilient material, and streamlined intermediate its leading and trailing edges.

It will be readily appreciated that a guard arrangement of this type possesses all of the necessary desirable characteristics for eflicient operation under the various conditions encountered in actual use.

The torpedo protective arrangement of the present invention, therefore, comprises briefly, a plurality of blade elements of the type described above, attached in spaced relationship to suitable cables, the cables and associated blades being supported by arm members extending outwardly from the Sides of the vessel. The cable supporting arms are pivotally attached at spaced points on the vessel and means are provided for lifting the cables so that the wings or guards can be moved upwardly or inwardly when not in use.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved torpedo protection arrangement adapted for use with ships.

rAnother object of lmy invention is to provide a torpedo protective arrangement for ships having an improved guard element in the form of a streamlined blade.

Yet another object vof my invention is to provide a device designed to protect ships against torpedo attacks, wherein a plurality of resillient guard members are flexibly mounted in spaced relationship with respect to their supports, and outwardly of the sides of the vessel. Still anotherobject of my invention is to provide an improved torpedo guard member comprising an inflatable rubber wing having a thick leading edge and a relatively thin trailing edge.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means for flexibly and detachably mounting the individual torpedo guards in spaced relation with respect to the vessel.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved torpedo protection arrangement for use with ships, wherein the guard elements can be raised upwardlyl and inwardly against the sides of the vessel.

Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a torpedo protection device having improved means for detachably connecting the guard elements togtheir supports, whereby the individual guards can be quickly and easily removed and replaced.

`With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to behereinaiter setjforth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements, comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement,

without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a ship equipped with a torpedo guard arrangement of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of a ship, showing a modied form of torpedo guard arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the torpedo guard elements.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a modied form of torpedo guard.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the blade and portion of a cable, showing the detachable fastening means used to attach the blades to the cables; and.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the relative position of the guard elements with respect to the water line and the means used for raising and lowering the guards.

Referring to the drawings and more particue larly to Figs. l and 6, the torpedo guard arrangement comprises a plurality of arms or brackets I and I pivotally attached at points 2 and 3 to the sides 4 of a ship or other vessel designated generally by numeral 5. The pairs of arms, as shown, extend outwardly from the sides of the vessel at spaced points lengthwise thereof and form supports for cables B to which the torpedo guard members 'I `are attached. It will be understood that the cables l` attached to arms I' (Fig. 5l) are directly below and in line'with'the cables attached to the upper arms I and that the upper and lower pairs of cables are substantially parallel to the sides of the vessel.

As will be seen in Fig. l, the cables are threaded through suitable loop members or eyelets 8, attached to the upper sides of arms I, and the ends S and II! at the stem and stern of the vessel respectively, are fastened. to suitable brackets II and I2, positioned in the same horizontal plane with arms 6. Similar brackets II and I2, not shown. are of course attached to the stem and stern in line with the lower arms I.V The ends I`of the cables may be provided with threaded attachments to receive nuts I3, by means of which the cables can be pulled fairly taut and maintained in parallel relationship. In order to prevent lateral movement of the arms.' due to the tension of the cables, suitable brackets I4 attached to the sides of the vessel at I intermediate the arms, are provided.

The individual torpedo guard members 'I are in the form of streamlined blades having a thick leading edge l@ and a relatively thin trailing edge I'l. The blades are formed from resilient material preferablyA rubber, and are adapted to be inated. The material from which the blades are made may be of rubber having a fabric base or the rubber may be reinforced with wire screening, metal rods or the like. It will be noted that the blades are attached to the cables in xed spaced relationship vertically thereof, and that the blades supported by the inner cables are in staggered relation with respect to those attached to the outer cables.

In order to raise the blades upwardly and inwardly against the sides of the vessel, when the torpedo guard is not in use, suitable lifting means It (Fig. G) are provided. Arms I9 having universal joints 29 are connected with a piston of an hydraulic lift, for example, and to the top row of arms I. Since the bottom arms I' are pivotally connected at points 3, it will be seen that when the pistons move inwardly the blades are swung upwardly and inwardly into the dotted line position, against the sides of the vessel. It will be readily appreciated that by mounting the blades in the manner described, that is to say, on pivotal supports arranged in sections lengthwise of the ship, that the blades are accessible for repair and replacement in event they become damaged by a torpedo or from other cause.

In connection with the lift arrangement by means of which the blades are raised upwardly against the sides of the vessel, the sections 2l at the stern of the vessel consist of blade elements 'I attached to cables G between the pair of arms I and the ends of the cables lll attached to bracket member I2. The bracket I2 is constructed and arranged for pivotal movement about point 22 so that the blades in these particular sections are inclined angularly to the sides of the vessel when they are in the raised position. The rod member il at the stem of the vessel is constructed and arranged for vertical sliding movement, that is to say, it is intended to be moved upwardly to accommodate the movement of the rst bracket or arm when it is raised by means of the hydraulic lift.

It will be readily seen that the described construction and arrangement of the blades and more particularly the streamlined design thereof reduces the induced drag to a minimum when the torpedo guard elements are in the operative position. In view of the fact that these elements are adapted to be inated, additional buoyancy is provided which is of considerable assistance in the normal operation of the ship and the natural buoyancy of the blades will be of considerable value in keeping the ship aoat in event that it becomes damaged from any cause.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the blade elements are extended forwardly of the vessel in the vicinity of the stem. The purpose of this arrangement while providing protective means against torpedo attack, it is intended primarily as a sweeping device for mines or other objects which may be encountered forwardly in the direct course of the ship. The staggered arrangement of the blades in the vicinity of the stem, as above indicated, affords protection for these area-S against torpedos which may be projected directly against the sides of the ship, the streamlined design thereof reduces drag to a minimum when the torpedo guard is not in use.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown a modied form of torpedo guard arrangement, wherein ythe blade elements of the sections at the stern are arranged parallel to the sides of the ship. The ends`23 of the cables 6 are attached to a bracket 24 mounted for pivotal movement on a suitable support 25 attached to the stem of the vessel. The opposite ends of cables 6 are attached to an arm 26 pivotally mounted on the sides of the vessel and adapted for movement by means of an hydraulic lift. The blade elements in sections 21 are similarly mounted, that is to say, the ends of cables are attached to arms 26 and to a bracket 28 mounted for pivotal movement at 29. In the modied form of torpedo guard, protection is afforded against attack at either side of the vessel.

' blade'to the cables.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a sectional view of one of the blade elements. A valve is positioned in one side of the yblade so that it can be inflated and suitable hook members 3| in the form of eyelets embedded in the top and bottom faces of the element are used for attaching the It will be understood that the blades may be of Various lengths and widths, depending upon the side of the Vessel with which they are to be used, and more particularly the area which is to be protected.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a modified form of torpedo guard or blade wherein the body portion of the blade is filled with cork, cotton or other similar material 32. Instead of inilatng the blade elements with air or other gases, it may be found desirable to use a filler of the type above indicated. In event that the blades are of considerable length, anadditional supporting cable may be used, the auxiliary cables being threadable through an eyelet 34 attached to the rear side of vthe blade elements.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown a section of the top portion of a blade and its means of attachment to the cable. It will be noted that the brackets 35 are attached directly to the cable and portions of extensions 3B thereof are formed with recesses parallel to the cable. The extensions 36 are of substantially the same width as the distance between the rods 31 which are embedded in the ends of the blade and having eyelets 30 formed thereon. To attach a blade to the cable, it is raised into the desired vertical position with rods 31 straddling the extensions 36 and thereafterwards a suitable pin or bolt member 38 is inserted through the eyelets and the recessed portion formed in the extensions. The bolt may be conveniently held by means of a cotter pin or the like insertable through the ends which project beyond the eyelets. It will thus be seen that by providing a quick detachable connection of the above described type, that the individual blade elements can be quickly and easily removed from or attached to the cables. Since damage to the blades by a torpedo will probably occur in only one or two of the sections, the damaged sections can be raised individually and the blades replaced.

It will be understood that the arms l and I' are also streamlined and that the eyelets attached to the ends of the blades in the sections which require that the blades be angularly disposed with respect to the cables to bring them into parallel positions with the sides of the ship can be swiveled to permit the required movement of the blades in these particular sections,

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of. my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not conne myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A torpedo guard for ships comprising a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced brackets pivotally attached to the sides of a ship, the lower bracket of each pair having its point of attachment in the vicinity of the bottom of the ship, a cable attached to the end of each upper bracket, a cable attached to the end of each lower bracket directly below and in line with said upper cable, said cables extending between the a cable attached to the end of each lower bracket vdirectly below and in line with said upper cable said cables extending between the brackets in a direction substantially parallel to the sides of the ship, a plurality of resilient inilatable torpedo guard members attached to said cables, and means for raising or lowering the brackets.

f 3. A torpedo guard for ships comprising, a plurality af pairs of vertically spaced brackets'pivotally attached to the sides of a ship, the lower bracket of each pair having its point of attachment in the vicinity of the bottom of the ship, a pair of cables attached to the upper brackets in spaced relationship, a pair of cables attached to the lower brackets directly below and in line withsaid upper cables, said cables extending be` tween the brackets in a direction substantially parallel to the sides of the ship, a plurality of Y resilient inflatable torpedo guard members attached in spaced relation to the outer cables, and a plurality of similar guard members attached to the inner cables said inner guards being spaced in staggered relationship with respect to the outer guards.

4. A torpedo guard for ships comprising a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced brackets pivotally attached to the sides of a ship, the lower bracket of each pair having its point of attachment in the vicinity of the bottom of the ship, a pair of cables attached to the upper brackets in spaced relationship, a pair of cables attached to the lower brackets directly below and in line with said upper cables, said cables extending between the brackets in a direction substantially parallel to the sides of the ship, a plurality of inflatable rubber guard` members attached in spaced relationship to the outer cables, and a plurality of similar guard members attached to the inner cables, said inner guard members being spaced in staggered relationship with respect to the outer guard members.

5. A torpedo guard for ships comprising a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced brackets pivotally attached to the sides of a ship, the lower bracket of each pair having its point of attachment in the vicinity of the bottom of the ship, a pair of cables attached to the upper brackets in spaced relationship, a pair of cables attached to the lower brackets directly below and in line with said upper cables, said cables extending between the brackets in a direction substantially parallel to the sides of the ship, a plurality of torpedo guard members attached in spaced relationship to the outer cables, each of said guards comprising a hollow body portion formed from rubber and having a thick leading edge and a relatively thin trailing edge, and a plurality of similar guard members attached to the inner cables, said inner ,guards being spaced in staggered relationship with respect to the outer guards.

6. A torpedo guard for ships comprising a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced brackets pivotally attached to the sides of a ship, the lower bracket of each pair having its point of attachment in the vicinity of the bottom of the ship,

acable attached to the ends of the upper brackets, a cable attached to the ends of the lower brackets, said cables extending between the brackets in a direction substantially parallel to the sides of the ship, and a plurality of resilient inflatable torpedo guard members detachably connected to said cables.

7. A torpedo guard for ships comprising a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced brackets pivotally attached to the sides of a ship, the lower bracket of each pair having its point of attachmen-t in the vicinity of the bottom of the ship, a pair of cables attached to the upper brackets in spaced relationship, a pair of cables attached to the lower brackets directly below and in line with said upper cables, said cables extending between the brackets in a direction substantially parallel to the sides of the ship, a plurality of resilient inflatable torpedo guard members detachably connected in spaced relationship to the outer cables, and a plurality of similar guard members detachably connected to the inner cables, said inner guards being spaced in staggered relationship with respect to the outer guards.

` 8. A torpedo guard for ships comprising a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced brackets pivotally attached to the sides of a ship, the lower bracket of each pair having its point of attachment in the vicinity of the bottom of the ship, a cable attached to the ends of the upper brackets, a cable attached to the ends of the lower brackets, said cables extending between the brackets in a direction substantially parallel to the sides of the ship, a plurality of resilient inflatable torpedo guard members mounted upon said cables, means for detachably connecting the guards to the cables comprising a pair of arms clamped to the upper cable and a pair of arms clamped to the lower cables, each of said arms having an extension formed with recesses parallel to the cables, pairs of vertical rods having eyelets in the ends thereof, attached to the opposite:

ends of the guards in the vicinity of their leading and trailing edges, said rods being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width oi the extension formed on the arm attached to the cables, a p-in member insertable through the eyelets and recesses, and means to lock the pin in seated position. i

`WILBUR, E. METHVIN. 

